Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 16:07:40 -0700
Reply-To: Jon Sykes <jonandbarb@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jon Sykes <jonandbarb@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: wondering out loud (several questions) in Colorado
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi everyone.
I'm definately in the minority here because I don't
actually own a Vanagon or Type2 VW Camper, but that
should change over the coming months. I've been
reading the vanagon and type2 lists for a while now
and have learnt a bit. I've also looked at dozens of
websites about these vehicles and have read the Muir
book. However, I still have a few questions and was
hoping I could find some of the answers here :-D
Here goes:
- The last Type2's and <= 83.5 Vanagons share the
same air-cooled engine, I believe; however, do they
share the same transmission (the Vanagon looks a
little heavier, so I was wondering if the ratios
changed at all)?
- Does the Vanagon air-cooled have a greater or worse
gas consumption, or is it unchanged (officially)?
- Is the Westfalia camper equipment unchanged between
the two models (could I take the units out of a 83
Vanagon and put it in a 78 Type2)?
- Is the engine any easier or harder to remove
between the two different body styles?
- I've heard of several replacement engines for the
Vanagon (5-Cyl Audi, TDi, Golf, Subaru, etc) - but I'm
not sure if all of these bolt right onto the existing
transmission or not. Some seem to need the diesel
tranny? What about Type2 replacement engines?
- Particularly in the water-cooled model, using a
different engine seems to be a more economical way of
keeping the bus running. Any dead waterboxer Vanagons
Westfalias for sale in CO?
- can the engine be removed (better yet, replaced) by
just one person? How long does it take, ballpark?
- any VW Clubs in Colorado (that don't just cater to
the current VW lineup)?
I'm looking for a cared for 78 - 83.5 Westie, with all
the camping equipment, within a few hundred miles of
Denver. I don't mind doing some minor engine
overhauling, minor rust or interior tidy-ups (to be
expected) as long as the whole thing is pretty sound.
This is probably a harder question to answer, but
what's a good price? I know that's like asking how
long is a piece of string, but I've seen seemingly the
same bus for $2000 and $4000. Are these things
skyrocketing in value as we speak? Fast approaching
"classic" status, maybe? I'd be interested in hearing
what others paid for theirs over the last year and any
recommendations.
Thanks for your help.
Jon
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